Memory Care in Montana

As is the case elsewhere in the nation, the number of people with Alzheimer’s in Montana is on the rise. Montana’s population is significantly older than average, however, with almost one in five (19.3%) residents aged 65 or over. There are 22,000 seniors with Alzheimer’s in Montana as of 2020, and this number is expected to rise to 27,000 by 2025. Alzheimer’s ranks sixth in the state’s top causes of death as of 2019, with 326 residents passing away due to the disease and many more hospitalized. Montanans have access to great care at hospitals such as St. Patrick, which has high ratings in several areas of concern for seniors, but this certainly isn’t a long-term solution for those with Alzheimer’s.

Specialized help is available via memory care programs. This level of care is similar to and an extension of assisted living, and it is often provided in a separate area within such a facility. Staff provide personal assistance, supervision, meals and activities. The average monthly cost of memory care in Montana is $5,562, while the U.S. average is just $63 higher.

Memory care can be offered on its own in a community designed for those with dementia or Alzheimer’s. More often, though, it’s provided as a service in a separate wing of an assisted living facility. Memory care programs are designed specifically for those with memory impairment, and the facilities often coordinate social activities and schedules specifically for the needs of those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

This guide explores the cost of memory care in more detail, including the possibility of financial assistance, and also lists useful resources.

When trying to decide how to pay for memory care, one of the first questions that comes up is "How much does it cost?" With the impact of inflation, it's more important than ever to have up-to-date information when making a financial plan for senior living. To help shed light on real senior living prices, Caring.com has compiled proprietary cost data from its network of over 75,000 senior living providers to offer insight into the average cost of memory care in Montana and its 2 cities.

Note: Memory care is most often provided in an assisted living environment and adds approximately 20-30% to the monthly bill. As such, we’ve accounted for a 25% increase in the assisted living costs reported in the Genworth Financial 2021 Cost of Care Survey.

Residential care for people with Alzheimer’s has an average cost of $5,562 per month in Montana, which is virtually identical to the national average of $5,625. All neighboring states have lower average costs — with the Dakotas each offering average savings of over $1,300 per month — although in nearby Washington the cost is roughly $2,000 higher than in Montana. The average cost in Wyoming and Idaho is lower by $350-$760 per month.

Memory care costs in Montana average $5,822 a month, but this is just a statewide figure, and costs will vary by location. In Billings, for instance, costs average $7,270 for memory care, while in Kalispell seniors pay an average of $5,635. Over the state line, costs in Idaho can be somewhat lower, noting the $5,525 average in Boise, ID, and the $3,030 average for seniors in Sandpoint, ID.

Memory care in Montana may average $5,822 a month, but this is not the only care option for seniors. Costs will vary depending on the degree of care available, the amenities featured and on-site accommodations. To meet less intensive needs, assisted living averages $5,257, while independent living is the most affordable at an average of $2,714 per month. Because prices fluctuate, it will benefit discerning budgets to research all available options before making a decision.

Note: For the purposes of this guide, when we say “Memory Care” we are referring to memory care provided in a “social setting,” such as an Assisted Living Facility. This is the most common way to receive Memory Care and is the best fit for all but the frailest seniors. Sometimes the actual service of memory care can be provided in a Nursing Home (“medical setting”), so the financial assistance options will be very different. To learn more about the financial assistance options available for memory care provided in a nursing home, read our guide to Nursing Home Care in Montana.

Seniors and people with disabilities in Montana who qualify for both Medicaid and its waiver program, Montana Big Sky, can receive coverage for memory care services. These programs are intended to help low-income residents pay for services that are medically necessary.

In many cases, a Medicaid recipient can qualify for additional coverage of what are often referred to as waiver services. These additional services are provided in the home of the individual or elsewhere in the community, such as assisted living and memory care, with the ultimate goal of helping them avoid premature nursing home placement. The entire bill from a memory care facility won’t be covered in any case, however, as the state Medicaid programs don’t cover the cost of room and board.

Medicaid and the Montana Big Sky Waiver Program may cover many services related to memory care. Coverage for each service is granted on an individual basis, however, which requires an assessment by physicians and/or nursing staff. The applicant must be assessed with a need for a particular service while also being financially eligible. We’ve provided a brief summary of potential coverage below.

• Case management (long-term care planning by nurses and social workers)
• Residential habilitation and supported living
• Personal assistance
• Homemaker services
• Specially trained attendant caregivers
• Community supports and transition
• Accessibility adaptations and personal security/response systems
• Health and wellness
• Physical, speech and other therapies
• Specialized medical equipment and supplies

The official Medicaid.gov website has a complete list of services covered by this waiver.

Applications for Montana Medicaid and waiver services can be handled by phone, at local offices or online via Cover Montana. The Cover Montana Help Line can be reached at (844) 682-6837, and its website provides detailed information and tools to estimate eligibility for various programs, as well as a locator to find in-person assistance by zip code.

What Information You Will Need

The following list provides a general outline of what to expect, but the specifics can only be determined once the application process has started. Depending on circumstances, some pieces of information may already be verified and present in the system, particularly for those receiving other state or federal assistance.

• Valid identification of all household members (name, address, age)
• Social Security number
• Immigration documents (for non-citizen applicants only)
• Documentation of income, assets and expenses
• Information on any other current health coverage (if applicable)

All sources of income must be assessed, including SSA and SSI payments, as well as insurance policies.

Seniors who are not eligible (due to location, financial situation, or other factors) for other types of financial assistance, do still have some options. See the table below for an overview of some of the most common ways to make Memory Care affordable.